I am very impressed with them. One immediately notices that they are rugged, very large, and rather heavy, but obviously made to last for a very long time and withstand the rainy Northern European climate. The workmanship and materials are very nice. As with many natural materials, I suspect that the canvas and leather will wear for ages and develop a beautiful patina as it does.

As for the down side, well they will be too big and heavy for some. Unless you really shop on your bike or need to carry a fair amount on your commute, they may be overkill. The two bags are linked by a the central straps that go over the rear rack, so cannot be used separately. And they are not cheap.

We'll be getting a few more Basil products soon, but the supply of these panniers is very limited. We probably won't get another case of them until Spring.

The second photo is of the latest VO handlebar bag prototype. It still needs some work, but it's getting there; one more prototype round should do it.

32 comments:

I wish I were more patient and waited for this new handlebar bag, it seems to have all the features I would have suggested the former was missing. Good thing I have more than one set of handlebars which needs a bag... i suppose.

I'm very happy that the VO bag will open the "right" way. I hope you'll make it nice and deep front-to-back like the Ostrich. I don't like how short the TA bags are front to back, especially the tall ones. Will there be a choice of sizes? Bigger the better, I say!!

I find your bike bags and handlebar bags most interesting, however, I'm one of those guys who prefer to use a backpack while carrying my stuff while riding. And I do so for many reasons. The first is that I generally ride or commute with several different bicycles and putting the bags on and off of each bicycle would be too cumbersome. Secondly I would not want to leave my bicycle parked with stuff in the bags. And it is just easier to use the backpack for security reasons.

So what I'm requesting is a custom designed bicycle commuter's backpack that looks really classy and has the right features. I carry most everything in the pack as opposed to attaching things to the bicycle. This includes a small hand pump. Some tools, tubes and even the Klean Kanteen metal water bottle. I even have some ideas as to how to incorporate some cable and u-locks into the design of this pack.

Centre of Gravity aside, LL Bean makes a lovely waxed cotton & leather strapped back pack just the right size with little pockets. They also make a far less expensive khaki/olive trim version which is also lighter.

Great looking panniers, and the handlebar bag looks just right. I'm in the market for a handlebar bag and am having some trouble at the momment. I love Berthoud bags but they are just too expensive for me right now, and I've never completely warmed up to the Ostrich, at least not for this particular bike. I really like the Inujirushi bags from Jitensha, but it seems they are having difficulty getting the shipment in.

Ok, getting back to my idea of a bicycling back pack ... first it needs to be designed for the bicyclist in mind and to date I have not found the perfect bicycle pack. It certainly needs compartments or pockets for things like tools, water bottles and locks. It doesn't need to be too large because one is riding a bike not climbing Mt. Everest. And it should be designed to hang on blinky lights and thing like that. And it should look classy like some of those high quality bags. I have a Dakine pack that I believe was designed for skateboarders which so far works to some degree ... but not nearly good enough. It does fit the body well and allow for good movement.

It should be able to carry one days supply of groceries or a change of clothes.

I don't need to carry things that aren't essential for a nice day of riding. Just the basics. Oh and a special compartment for a U-Lock and cable would be essential.

1) a black and white leather trim version that would match most vintage karrimor and brooks and most current and vintage carradice saddle bags, and

2) a tan/canvas with natural leather trim that would match most old and current rivendell / duluth bags / velo orange saddle bags, and vintage t.a. bags.

I realize what gets lost there is the black/tan of berthoud bags among others, but berthoud seems like the most prohibitively expensive of all current options, and it seems like with smartly chosen shades of 1 and 2 you would give a lot of people the chance to make a decent (albeit never perfect) match with current equipment.

Anyway, looking forward to the handlebar bag coming out. Any plans for a large VO saddlebag?

And +1 on the vote for bigger is better -- I'm all for a handlebar bag that could fit a small laptop.

Instead of a handlebar bag that fits a laptop how about a lap top friendly shoulder bag that could be mounted to a small front rack. It would require a bit more in the way of mounting hardware and a re-enforced side but there would be nothing else like it. It would be a way of turning a front loading light duty randonneur into a commuter.

These days I'm a happy non-camper with my single Carradice saddlebag. It holds a sandwich, pear, cellphone and tube repair items just fine. I like crisp, clean sheets and firm mattresses in nice motels/hotels after a day of riding. Sold my super- duper set of Bob Beckman panniers/Bruce Gordon racks back in 1991 and don't miss them at all.

I noticed that the soma levers in the store are less attractive than the ones in the first photo you posted. The hinge appears to be anodized, whereas the ones we were first shown were all polished aluminium. Does this mean we are to take them apart and polish them ourselves? Also how long is the lever?

lookin' good Chris. good luck with all the fussy fashionistas. however, it's nice to know that parts are still made in something other than Carbon Fiber and Blast-Black finishes. maybe I can order some goodies after tax season.

I still don't know how much they will cost, probably under $100. And I don't know when they will be ready for production. Not knowing is part of developing products in the mysterious East. We must accept it.